Thame Legendary 18/19

11 Days 10 Nights

A great short trek to get up into high places, explore ethereal mountain monasteries and rich local traditions. This trek gives chance to stretch out and relish some fabulous Himalayan hiking but still plenty of time to relax and explore. A trip rich in experience and legend both along the trail and Thame, home to some of Everest’s greatest climbers, artists and perhaps even the elusive Yeti!

Overview

Legendary Thame is based on the Delux lodges of Yeti Mountain Home in Phakding, Namche, Thame, Monjo and Lukla. This program is specially designed to cater trek & pilgrimage combined together in which the trekker can enjoy the taste of the adventure tourism along with the ancient monastery along the trail with its historic value. Thame is at the end of Khumbu Valley and iconic value of Thame is its terrain the people which are untouched by the effects of modern civilization. Overall this place is internationally recognized as the home of world famous Mountaineers such as renowned Tenzing Norgay Sherpa: the first ever Mount Everest summiteers in the mountaineering history, Ang Rita Sherpa: recognized as snow leopard and Apa Sherpa: a World Recorder Everest nineteen times Everest Summiteers.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m)

Welcome to Nepal! Upon your arrival in Kathmandu Airport, you’ll be met at the airport by our representative (they’ll have the YMH signboard if you’ve booked direct or the logo of your agent if you are through your agent).

There’s a short drive to the Gokarna Forest Resort, our peaceful haven on the outskirts of Kathmandu. This is your hotel base before and after trek. Your program on the hotel will be on dinner and breakfast.

You’ll be served with welcome drink and will start briefing about your programs and collect necessary documents for permit for the trekking.
Meals: D
Accommodation: Gokarna Forest Resort

Day 2 Fly to Lukla (2860m) and trek to Phakding (2651m) - 3 hrs walk

We make an early start to take a spectacular, short mountain flight to Lukla, the start point for our trek. Watch out for the Langtang and Jugal ranges then the Rolwaling Himal, Gaurisankar and Menlumtse before getting your first glimpse of Everest on the flight. Our trekking crew meets us at the Lukla airstrip and we’ll spend a few minutes sorting out bags etc before setting off through this winding village to the trek start proper at the Khumbu ‘gateway’. It’s gently downhill on pitched stone trails through low rhododendron forest, small ‘garden’ farms and old and new hamlets to the banks of the foaming DudhKoshi River. There will be plenty of short stops to meet the locals, take photographs and just soak up the scenery and the clear mountain air as we meander along, the undulating trail glimpsing views of 6000m snow-capped peaks high above. Passing the enormous mani stone at Thado Koshi we meander up through the many chortens and prayer wheels of Sano and along to our destination of YMH Phakding in time for a late lunch. The afternoon is free to rest in the riverside gardens or sun lounge. For those who wish to we’ll make a short trip up to the higher village and delightful tiny gompa perched on the valley side. Gather again for pre-dinner drinks round the fire followed by evening meal.

Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Phakding

Day 3 Trek to Namche (3440m) - 6 hrs walk

After breakfast at lodge, we trek to Namche following with the left bank of DudhKoshi River.

While following the level path along the right bank from the resort, Thamserku 6623 m looms skyward on the opposite bank. After crossing a stream and climbing the terraced hill from the DudhKoshi route, you arrive at Banker. Walking on the riverbed on the left bank, through a forest you arrive at Chumow where you can visit the Vegetable Farm. Walking along a path with many ups and downs, crossing a stream you pass by a small village located at 2840 m gaining with 230 m from Phakding named Monjo. You stop for lunch here. Then from Monjo, descending stone steps you come to a suspension bridge, and, after a short climb you reach Jorshale. This is the entrance to the National Park, and you must wait here while your guide pays the entrance fees.

Walking beside the river, you reach a forested mountainside and pass a rocky area. After crossing a high, winding path, you descend to the riverbed and reach a V-shaped valley. The river forks here: the right stream is the DudhKoshi and the left is the BhoteKoshi that leads to Nangpa La. Crossing another suspension bridge and walking a short distance alongside the BhoteKoshi, you ascend to TupDhara where you will get the first view of Mount Everest. From here you ascend gradually up to Namche Bazaar (The Sherpa capital). Dinner at the evening is included.

Optional Activity: Hike upto the Pema Choling Monastery

Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Namche

Day 4 Acclimatisation hike to Khumjung village (3790m) - 4 hrs walk

Today we’ll take a gentle walk to gain a little height and then have the afternoon free to explore the shops and cafes of this delightful little town.

Your guide will take you to a couple of wonderful viewpoints to see the ‘rockstars’ of the mountain world spread out before you: Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, Ama Dablam... they ring the deep valley sides in a magnificent arena. You should also be able to see the trails to Everest. If you’re feeling energised we’ll continue on to the delightful villages of Kumjung and Kunde with their health post and school both started by the Sir Edmund Hilary Fund.

After lunch, you are free to head down to the Namche market to browse the shops, chat to the locals and maybe pick up a souvenir or two. You may also see the Tibetan traders who make a yearly journey over the high passes (Nangpa La) from the Tibetan plateau with their yaks laden with goods to sell at the markets. Late in the afternoon there’s an option to visit Namche Monastery. The monastery is about 80 years old and has beautiful Thanka paintings of Tibetan deities. You are most welcome to burn a butter lamp for your loved ones.

Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Namche

Day 5 Trek to Thame (3820m) - 5 hrs walk

After breakfast at Namche, begin your walk to Thame, which should take approximately 5 hours walk. You will pass through a beautiful pine forest and typically Sherpa homes.

This trail forms part of the entry route to Tibet, which passes at Nanga La, near the 8,012-metre peak of Cho Oyu, first climbed in 1954. It is also the historical route that the Sherpa’s migrated from eastern Tibet 800 years ago.

A lunch stop is made at Thamo. It’s also the home Ang Rita Sherpa, who holds the record for scaling Mt. Everest ten times without oxygen.

After lunch you ascend gradually up passing a monastery where nuns live and finally you come to village of Samden. From here you descend down to the bridge and crossing BhoteKoshi River and a half an hour ascent up to reach Thame Village, where you stay at Yeti Mountain Home, your base for the next two nights.

Optional Activity: Ceremony at the Thame Monastery

Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Thame

Day 6 Hike to Sumdur peak (4800m) - 5/6 hrs

After breakfast at lodge, take a half-hour walk up to Thame Monastery. This monastery is located in the Khumbu region, 200 metres above the village. It is set on the southern slope of Sumdur Mountain under a very high rocky cliff, noted for its rock formations, which are mentioned in five books on the history of the region. The monastery was built in the 14th century. From the monastery you trek back to the lodge, arriving in time for lunch.

After lunch you can also visit the home of two famous Sherpa’s One Tenzing Norgay and Appa Sherpa who has now climbed Mount Everest 20 times. Thame is one of greatest village of Solukhumbu where many young High altitude climbing Sherpa’s have climbed Mount Everest at least 6 to 18 times ... Very beautiful village with very humble Everest summiteers ...

Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Thame

Day 7 Trek to Monjo (2850m) - 5 hrs

Heading back towards Lukla, we first spend an overnight at Monjo. From our high perch above the DudhKosi river the trail before reaching Phakding where we spent a night while coming up and descends quite steeply and trekking poles are highly recommended. There is no hurry and along the way we have the chance to spend time in a number of small Sherpa settlements, situated off the main trail and unused to seeing trekkers. Finally, we reach the Everest Trail and continue our trek to Monjo.

Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Monjo

Day 8 Trek to Lukla (2860m)

Our last day trekking, with a bit of a sting in the tail! It’s around three hour walk to Lukla, with the last hour or regaining 200m+ height – it’s uphill. On the way we’ll have some drink stops and a chance to visit Chaurikharka High School and Kyongma Monastery. On reaching Lukla we could take a quick stop for a congratulatory group photo at the ‘gateway’ arch then we’ll check-in to our lodge for lunch and a rest. The afternoon is free to explore – you may like to visit the PasangLhamu Foundation hospital or potter up to some nearby hamlets. We celebrate our success on the trail with a final. This is also a good time to give your gratitude to your porter and trekking crew for their wonderful support and to bid them farewell. Dinner at the hotel in included.

Meals: BLD

Hotel: YMH Lukla

Day 9 Fly back to Kathmandu

Wave goodbye to the Himalaya on a short, but spectacular flight back to Kathmandu! In clear weather this can be one of the highlights of your tour, with amazing views of the surrounding mountains.

On arrival in Kathmandu we’ll transfer to Gokarna Resort. Then you’ve free time to relax or head into the city. We find most people want to simply unwind and enjoy the hotel facilities – whatever you choose, we’ll help!
Meals: BLD
Accommodation: Gokarna Forest Resort

Day 10 In Kathmandu with half day sightseeing tour

This is an important contingency day in case of delays to the flights from Lukla. If we have experienced no delays this is an opportunity to explore the fascinating city of Kathmandu. The afternoon is free for independent sightseeing or shopping in the colorful bazaars. This evening we will have a celebratory meal and reflect on our Everest adventure.
Meals: BLD
Accommodation: Gokarna Forest Resort

Thanks so much for great food and hospitality in this remote location.

Matt & Jen, USA

A great facility, very nice people and great hospitality. Thank you, we would always recommend you.

Dora, Jorg & Karin Kong, Germany

Thanks very much to you and Yeti Mountain Homes for a wonderful trip! There truly is trekking after 60! As I had hiked a bit in the Andes in my early 20’s, it was really wonderful to connect with the Nepalese high mountains, glacial streams, rhododendron groves and people and the wonderful hospitality, people, and food of the Yeti Mountain Homes.

Linda Gustafson

Tomi Myllys Thank you very much for the great Mikko Vermas food and hotel you have! We have a great stay, thank you very much!